Rolls Royce has secured a contract to develop engines to power the US Marine Corps (USMC) MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
Under the $90.1m contract, which is a modification of a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract, Rolls Royce will deliver a total of 40 AE 1107C engines for the USMC’s MV-22 aircraft.
Rolls Royce defence president Tom Bell said the production contract reflects confidence in the capability and reliability of the Rolls Royce AE 1107C engines.
"Continual innovation has led to increases in power, dependability and time-on-wing, as we strive to anticipate and meet the mission needs of the US Marine Corps," Bell said.
Work will be carried out in Indianapolis, Indiana, while the US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland, will serve as the contracting activity. It is scheduled to be completed by November 2015.
The MV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotorvertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft capable of supporting missions, including the transportation of troops, equipment and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support.
The Osprey was designed as the medium-lift replacement for the CH-46E Sea Knight assault support helicopter. It can be operated as a helicopter or a turboprop aircraft and offers twice the speed, six times the range and three times the payload of the CH-46E.
Rolls Royce will continue to provide real-time engineering support for V-22 operators, as well as support for the AE 1107C engine fleet through the new Defence Operations Centre in Indianapolis, US.
Image: Rolls Royce engines power MV-22 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Rolls Royce plc.
